CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte women's
basketball team will begin the 2013 calendar with a rare Noon tip, when it
welcomes Coppin State to Halton Arena for Education Day Thursday. It marks the
first of four home contests among the Niners' first five games to open the new
year.

Students and chaperones totaling 4,329 from the greater Charlotte region,
including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Gaston Counties in North Carolina and York
County in South Carolina will participate in the annual community day with the
49ers. Inflatables and guest speakers will be on-hand prior to the Charlotte
game starting midday.

The 49ers enter the game with a 9-3 record and having picked up a win in five
of their last six games following play at the GSU Holiday & Hoops
Tournament in Atlanta over the weekend. Charlotte split its two contests at the
event, falling to Toledo but defeating Mississippi Valley State.

Senior Jennifer Hailey led the way and earned Atlantic 10 Player of the Week
honors for the first time in her career in the process. She brings team-leading
averages of 14.3 points and 11.6 rebounds into Thursday's meeting.

She has also registered at least one blocked shot in 24 consecutive games and
has moved within 29 of tying the school's career record of 207, set by Adrienne
Jordan (1998, 2000-02).

Hailey was one of Niners on the all-tournament team. She was joined by sophomore
Hillary Sigmon, who has tallied double-figure points in five-straight games.
Sigmon is currently third on the team with 10.4 points per game, while dropping
in a program-best 25 3-pointers and 14-of-16 free throws.

Placing second in scoring and rebounding is senior Amanda Dowe. She trails
Hailey in both categories with averages of 11.1 points and 11.4 rebounds.

Senior Jai Forney gives Charlotte four players in double-figure scoring with
her 10.3 average. On the cusp of a double-digit scoring average is the team's
other starter, junior Ny Hammonds at 9.5 points per game. Hammonds continues to
top the country in assists with 7.8 per game, ranking as the nation's leader
for all five reporting periods thus far.

Coppin State has garnered just one win in its last eight tries entering
Thursday to own a 4-9 record. The Eagles, who compete in the Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference, are coming off back-to-back setbacks on the road at
Arkansas and Missouri State.

The lone victory in the recent stretch was at home against Robert Morris,
59-52, Dec. 21. Coppin State is 0-8 away from its home arena in Baltimore this
season.

Kyra Coleman paces Derek Brown's-coached squad with 13.0 points per game. She
is joined in double-figure scoring by Leola Spotwood (12.7 ppg) and Shawntae
Payne (10.1). Spotwood is the team's top rebounder with 8.8 rebounds per contest.

The two teams have met only once previously, a 63-52 Niners triumph, Dec. 29,
1995, in the Mister Cookie Face Holiday Classic in Jersey City, N.J.

The game can be viewed live on Charlotte49ers.TV with Josh Feldman returning to
play-by-play duties. Live stats will be available on Charlotte49ers.com and
updates can also be found on Twitter by following @49erGameDay.